Jennifer and Brian Maternity

Jennifer reached out to me to do a belly to baby package. That is where we do both maternity pictures and newborn pictures!! I love being able to photograph the "story" of a baby's life!!

In this case, I was very excited because Jennifer was carrying TWINS!! 

She wasnt too concerned about doing pictures early, and we waited longer than I wanted, but not as long as she was thinking. Good thing too, because less than a week later she was in the hospital having those sweet girls of hers!!

Wilson Maternity Session

Mom to be, Aara, found me on facebook and booked a maternity mini session this past November. She and her husband arrived, and they were amazing to work with!! 

We shot at my favorite, "secret location", and we couldn't have asked for a better evening. The weather was great, the lighting was perfect, and you can see in the pictures--this family is super excited to be welcoming their first baby, a little boy.

Elisha Maternity + family

The Taft family just recently moved to Arizona from the Bay area (San Francisco) and mom is due with her second baby in the new year. Elisha really wanted to document the pregnancy with maternity pictures, but also wanted new updated family pictures in their new surroundings! 

So, easy peasy, we combined the two! I had them meet me at the Riparian preserve (just a few minutes from their house) and spent a bit in the afternoon documenting this beautiful family! Cant wait to meet your new little girl Taft family!!

Nelly's Maternity Shoot

Miss Nelly contacted me about doing Maternity portraits for her.

This is her first baby...and she doesnt know exactly when her due date is. 

She just moved her from Mexico, and told me that she could be due this week or next week...

AH!

So we hurried to get her booked for her shoot and met up at the Mesa Temple for pictures. I absolutely love the Mesa Temple grounds. They are lush and green. There are so many trees and foliage, flowers, and even a cactus garden.

Even if you don't want the temple in the backgound, there is plenty of other options and it is just such a beautiful place!!

Lifted

Today was a long day...on the tail end of a very long week.

It was kind of a recipe for disaster. Complete grumpiness on my part.

I havent been sleeping since Nash has been sick and he hasnt been sleeping.

I didnt know it at the time, but I was fighting that same illness.

Jace wasnt home much with work.

My brother is still in the hospital (6.5 weeks!)

And I am BUSY with work.

I had a very early newborn shoot, with one right after, with a hair appointment right after that and then a 2 hour break and then a maternity shoot tonight.

I love doing newborn sessions. I love to snuggle and hug those little babies, and give moms a little break :) I love how the pictures come out. But they are pretty physically taxing on me. Lots of up and down, and weird angles and the HEAT from a space heater!

In my "down time" waiting to go to the maternity shoot, i realized I was in a BAD mood. I was grumpy and tired, and angry. I have no idea what I was angry about even! I left in a bad way.

While in the car, I prayed to my Heavenly Father. I asked him to help me feel better, and to have a better attitude. I asked him to help me be inspired so i could deliver a great session for these soon to be parents.

And you know what?

Literally as soon as I stepped out of my car...the weight fell off. The negativity, the anger, the tiredness even. I physically felt my spirit be lifted. And I wanted to cry.

I have such gratitude to my Heavenly Father for listening to my prayers. Its such a wonderful reminder that He is so mindful of us--all of us. Even for silly things like to be in a better mood :)

Here is a picture from the shoot tonight...I love it because its now a reminder of Heavenly Fathers love for us all.

Rowe Family

I got to spend the evening with the Rowe family!!

They were doing alot of celebrating that night. :)

It was their 7th wedding anniversary, as well as their maternity shoot!

They have a cute 3 year old boy, and they are adding 1 more special baby into their family!! 

It was a HOT evening...97 degrees at 5:30 PM and the mosquitoes were out in full force, but it was a nice session and their pictures came out wonderful! I cant wait to meet their new bundle of joy and take their newborn pictures for them!!